Do Me Baby (The Beaumont Series)
Page 21
Shaun nodded, relieved that his wife agreed. “I was getting ready to say the same thing.”
Liberty looked confused. “Who’s Darnell?”
“My son. That’s his son, isn’t it?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know anyone named Darnell.” She lowered Chance back into the cart, then glanced down at her watch. “I’d better get going. Thanks again for catching him for me. It was a pleasure meeting both of you. Chance, say goodbye.”
“Bye!” the little boy cried out, then gave a goofy laugh, with a familiar smile that caused Shaun’s stomach to clench. He knew that look anywhere. It had once belonged to his wife.
Liberty gave a quick wave, turned, and moved quickly up the aisle.
“You know she’s lying, right?” Jennifer said.
“Yep. I don’t care what she says. That little boy is my grandson.”
* * *
“I’ll also have a slice of peach pie,” Sheyna said, completing her order and handing the waitress the menu.
“Sounds good. I’ll be back shortly with your iced tea.”
As soon as the perky young waitress left to help customers sitting at another table, Sheyna gazed across at her sister-in-law Danica and grinned as she said, “You think Jaden suspects anything?”
Danica gave her a saucy grin as she pushed her reddish brown curls from her face. “He doesn’t have a clue. I want our anniversary to be a weekend he’ll never forget.”
“A weekend in Bermuda? Trust me, he’ll never suspect a thing.”
Smiling, she released a heavy sigh. “I Just hope so, although I feel a little guilty planning a romantic weekend just to try and get my way.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “Why not? There’s nothing wrong with a woman using what she’s got to get what she wants,” Sheyna told her, shaking her head with an amused grin.
“We’re being bad.” Danica tilted her head to one side, considering the possibility with a nervous smile. “You and I both know I gave up modeling to move here. I don’t think Jaden is going to like that I’ve decided to model again.”
Sheyna ignored the uncertainty in her voice “But it’s not like you’re going back to hitting the runway. You’re just promoting your swimsuit design. Just tell him you’re on your way to being the next Kimora Lee Simmons.”
Danica folded her arms across her breasts. She didn’t look convinced.
Their waitress returned with their drinks. Sheyna heard her cellphone ringing. She scooped up her purple Dooney bag and dug in the side pocket. She glanced down at the number across the screen. It was her father. She signaled to Danica she was stepping out, then rose from her chair. “Hey, Daddy,” she said merrily as she sauntered out the restaurant and into the hall.
“Hello, sweetheart. How’s everyone doing?”
“We’re good. JJ has a soccer game on Wednesday.”
“Don’t worry. You tell him his grandpa wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Sheyna adored her father. He had been an amazing provider and doted on his only grandson. She moved over to the window and stared out at Sheraton Beach. Boats were docked all along the harbor. “What’s going on, Daddy?” They usually talked at least once or twice a week, but they had just talked last night.
“I was trying to find Darnell, and I was wondering if you knew where he was.”
She gave a rude snort. “Probably with some chick.” Her youngest brother had a reputation of being a heartbreaker. She wasn’t sure if he’d ever settle down, despite several attempts at fixing him up. “Have you tried Scott?”
“He wasn’t home when I called.” She didn’t miss the frustration in his voice.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?”
There was a slight hesitation. “This may sound crazy, but I just ran into a woman at Walmart with a little boy who was the spitting image of Darnell.”
“What?” she gasped.
“It’s true!” she heard Jennifer yelling in the background.
“How… what…?” She took a deep breath and started again. “Is it one of his exes?” And if so, which one? There had been so many she’d given up trying to keep up years ago.
“She denies even knowing him, but a father knows his genes, and that boy is my grandson. I’d bet my entire pension check on it.”
“Wow! You are serious.” Sheyna racked her brain trying to remember if there was anyone who stood out. “How old’s the little boy? Do you know the woman’s name?”
“The little boy… his name is Chance. He looks to be around four, and his mother’s name is Liberty Roth.”
“Liberty Roth,” she mumbled repeatedly under her breath, hoping it sounded familiar, but it didn’t ring a bell. “The name doesn’t sound familiar.”
“Darnell has a lot of explaining to do. You know how I feel about my sons taking care of their responsibilities,” he said and there was no mistaking the disappointment.
“Daddy, I’m sure Darnell has a good explanation. In fact, maybe he doesn’t even know he has a child.” Until she knew otherwise she was going to try and give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I sure hope so. Well, if you get in touch with your brother, have him call me.”
“I will, Daddy. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Sheyna ended the call. Her brain was racing with possibilities. Was it possible? She had a nephew to spoil. Jace had several nieces and nephews whom he adored, but this little boy was possibly a Simmons.
And that made it worth finding out.
Other Books by Angie Daniels
DAFINA/KENSINGTON PUBLISHING
When It Rains
Love Uncovered
When I First Saw You
In the Company of My Sistahs
Trouble Loves Company
Careful of the Company You Keep
Feinin’ (Big Spankable Asses Anthology)
GENESIS PRESS
Intimate Intentions
Hart & Soul
Time is of the Essence
A Will to Love
HARLEQUIN/KIMANI ROMANCE
Endless Enchantment
Destiny In Disguise
The Second Time Around
The Playboy’s Proposition
The Player’s Proposal
For You I Do
Before I Let You Go
CARAMEL KISSES PUBLISHING
In Her Neighbor’s Bed
Tease
Show Me
Any ManWill Do
Coming for My Baby
Strutting in Red Stilettos
Running to Love in Pink Stilettos
Say My Name
Every Second Counts
A Beau for Christmas
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angie Daniels has released more than two dozen novels. She has won numerous awards, including a Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for When it Rains, and an Emma Award for Favorite Erotic Romance, A Delight Before Christmas. She began her road to publication in 2001, when she was offered a four-book deal with Genesis Press. In 2002 she signed with BET/Arabesque, which was purchased by Harlequin/Kimani Romance in 2005. Angie joined Kensington Publishing in 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia College. For more information about upcoming releases, and to connect with Angie on Facebook, please visit her website at www.angiedaniels.com.